Introduction
Participating in user research studies offers numerous benefits, including the opportunity to shape the development of products and services and contribute valuable insights to help companies improve user experiences. In addition to these intrinsic rewards, you can also receive incentives as a token of appreciation for your time and effort.
OpenQ provides various options for availing and redeeming research incentives. The incentive options available may differ from one study to another. This information (incentive amount, type, redemption timeline) is communicated to you along with the research invitation. Please read it carefully to understand the options available or other applicable details for the particular study.
Types of Research Incentives
The following types of incentives are available for participating in research studies through OpenQ.
Gift Cards
Gift cards are a popular incentive option, as they provide participants with flexibility in choosing products or services from a wide range of retailers. Companies may offer gift cards from popular global retailers, such as Amazon, or local retailers that cater to the participants' geographical location.
OpenQ offers an option to redeem incentives as gift cards in 100+ countries from over 700 global retailers, such as Amazon, Apple, eBay, DoorDash, Hulu, Macy's, Lowe's, Nike, Nordstrom, Starbucks, Target, Walmart, and more.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid debit cards, such as Visa or Mastercard, allow participants to spend their incentives at any location that accepts these cards. These cards offer the convenience of cash while ensuring secure and hassle-free transactions.
OpenQ offers an option to redeem incentives as prepaid cards, either as a physical card (in the US only) or as a virtual visa card (available globally).
Cash
Participants may receive cash rewards, either in their local currency or a globally recognized currency such as US dollars or euros. Cash incentives can be distributed through various methods, including bank transfers, PayPal, or other digital payment platforms.
OpenQ offers an option to redeem incentives as cash using one of the following three options:
- ACH: ACH transfers to any US bank or credit union
- PayPal: Transfer to Paypal accounts in 80+ countries / regions in several currencies
- Venmo: Transfer to your Venmo wallet
Donations to Charity
Some research studies may offer participants the option to donate their incentives to a charity or non-profit organization. This allows participants to contribute to a meaningful cause while still being acknowledged for their time and input in the research study.
OpenQ offers an option to redeem incentives by donating to top charitable organizations worldwide, such as, the American Red Cross, Alzheimer's Association or Doctors without Borders.
Discounts and Vouchers
Some research studies may offer participants discounts or vouchers for products or services, such as product discounts, company swag, or other exclusive offers.
This option is only available for research studies conducted by companies with their own users.
Conclusion
Research incentives come in various forms. They may be distributed by OpenQ or directly by the Researcher. Different incentive options may be available for different studies. These are communicated to you along with the study invitation. When considering participating in a research study, pay close attention to the incentive details provided in the study invitation, as these will typically include information on the type, value, and distribution method of the incentive. By understanding the types of incentives available, you can make informed decisions about your research participation and maximize the rewards you receive for your valuable insights.